Shloka 12
एवं साधारणं देहमव्यक्तप्रभवाप्ययम् । को विद्वानात्मसात्कृत्वा हन्ति जन्तूनृतेऽसत: ॥ १२ ॥
evaṁ sādhāraṇaṁ deham avyakta-prabhavāpyayam ko vidvān ātmasāt kṛtvā hanti jantūn ṛte ’sataḥ
This body arises from unmanifest nature and again is destroyed, merging into the elements; thus it is, in truth, common property. In such a case, who but a fool claims it as “mine” and, to maintain it, commits sins like killing living beings for mere whim? Such wrongdoing is possible only for the deluded.
Atheists do not believe in the existence of the soul. Nonetheless, unless one is very cruel, why should one kill animals unnecessarily? The body is a manifestation of a combination of matter. In the beginning it was nothing, but by a combination of matter it has come into existence. Then again, when the combination is dismantled, the body will no longer exist. In the beginning it was nothing, and in the end it will be nothing. Why then should one commit sinful activities when it is manifested? It is not possible for anyone to do this unless he is rascal number one.
FAQs
This verse says the body is temporary and common to all; a truly wise person does not mistake it for the self and therefore does not harm other living beings on the basis of such false identity.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the episode and drawing the moral lesson about the temporary body and the virtue of nonviolence.
Practice seeing others beyond external labels (body, status, group identity), and cultivate compassion and restraint—reducing harm in speech, action, and choices—because the true self is not the temporary body.